STUDY OF CASTOR OIL AS OIL BASED FLUID IN DRILLING OPERATION

Drilling fluids are fluids that are made from the mixture of natural and synthetic chemical compounds (Fadairo et al., 2012). It is an important component in drilling operation because it is used to cool and lubricate the drill bit, clean the well, carry cuttings to the surface, control formation pressures and improve the function of drill strings and tools in the hole. Drilling fluids can be divided into two types: water based mud (WBM) and oil based mud (OBM). The usage of these two types of mud are dependent on the drilling and formation needs as well as the requirements for disposition of the drilling fluids after it is no longer needed. Usually nowadays, most drilling operation is using diesel as base oil for OBM.
The usage of diesel oil based mud will lead to environmental problem especially marine environment in offshore drilling operation. This is because of the toxicity of certain aromatic compounds found in diesel based mud. In offshore applications, tighter environmental regulations are forcing the transport of diesel based oil to shore or the development of special cuttings-handling equipment. Low toxicity oil-based mud should be produced in order to avoid the environmental problems.
Many researches had been conducted to find good oil in order to replace diesel oil. Various bio-diesel oils had been introduced to substitute diesel based oil in drilling fluids. Some basic considerations are needed to be concern in choosing a drilling fluid. For example, a good drilling fluid should have the pour point and viscosity as low as possible and a high flash point above the maximum temperature of the well.
This project is mainly about oil based mud (OBM). Basically, the proposal discusses the basic understanding of the chosen topic, which is the study of castor oil as Base oil in OBM. In order to find substitute for diesel oil, castor oil is being used as the base oil. This project will involve some lab works to test the rheological properties and elastomeric effects in order to identify the sustainability of as an alternative of biodiesel oil to replace diesel oil in drilling fluids.